Hearing loss decisions — 2024

The Board has remanded several issues related to the Veteran's claims, including service connection for various shoulder and knee conditions, increased ratings for knee disabilities, and an effective date for hearing loss. Additional evidence was added since the last rating decision but not considered by the AOJ.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss was rated at 20 percent from December 5, 2017 to February 22, 2019. The higher ratings were denied as the evidence did not meet the criteria for such ratings.

The Veteran's claims for service connection and increased ratings have been denied. The Board found no new and material evidence to reopen the claims of bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, and denied them. Service connection was also denied for a bilateral eye disability. Increased ratings were denied for allergic rhinitis, hypertension, osteoarthritis and traumatic arthritis of the right knee, hallux valgus of the right foot, and hallux valgus of the left foot.

The Board has reopened the previously denied claims for service connection for a low back disability, left knee contusion residuals, and a chronic eye disability (teary eyes, vision condition). The claim for service connection for a left ear hearing loss disability remains pending.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is currently rated as noncompensable, and a higher rating is not warranted.,The Veteran's left knee disability has been rated at 10 percent since September 29, 2006. The Veteran contends for an increased rating, which the Board finds to be remanded due to further development being necessary.

The Board has granted an extraschedular total disability evaluation based on individual unemployability (TDIU) from April 22, 2014 to March 18, 2022 due to the Veteran's service-connected disabilities preventing him from securing or following substantially gainful employment.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities did not preclude him from engaging in substantially gainful employment consistent with his education and work history.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss was received on April 1, 2016. The Board denied a request for an earlier effective date as the evidence does not support that the Veteran previously made or understood his August 30, 1957 claim to include a claim for hearing loss.

The Board has determined that the VA examinations and opinions provided are inadequate for adjudicating the Veteran's claims. Therefore, the cases must be remanded to obtain updated medical evidence and an adequate opinion.

The Board denied a compensable disability rating for bilateral hearing loss prior to January 31, 2019 and denied a rating in excess of 10 percent from that date.

The Veteran's claim for an initial compensable rating for service-connected bilateral hearing loss is remanded due to non-compliance with prior Board directives.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claims for higher initial ratings are not granted, and they have been remanded to obtain additional medical evidence.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a current hearing loss disability for VA purposes and therefore, service connection for hearing loss is denied.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities have not prevented him from securing and following a substantially gainful occupation.

The Board has remanded three issues related to the Veteran's claims for service connection: bilateral hearing loss, peripheral neuropathy of the upper extremities, and peripheral neuropathy of the lower extremities. The reasons for remand include inadequate opinions in the July 2016 VA examination regarding the cause of the Veteran's hearing loss and insufficient evidence addressing his reported noise exposure during active duty.

The Veteran's claim for TDIU is denied as the form 21-8940 was not returned by the Veteran within one year of being requested.

The claims for service connection are being remanded due to the need for additional examinations and opinions regarding the Veteran's PTSD, right ankle condition, bilateral hearing loss, left ankle condition (secondary to a right ankle condition), and sleep-related condition.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities render him so helpless as to be in need of regular aid and attendance, leading to the grant of SMC based on aid and attendance.

The Board dismissed the appeal for bilateral hearing loss and left ankle strain. Service connection was granted for hemorrhoids as secondary to service-connected hypothyroidism.

The Veteran's thoracolumbar spine disorder, bilateral hearing loss, and acquired psychiatric disorder are all granted as service-connected due to continuity of symptomatology since service.